The Hopi are Native Americans who live mostly in Arizona. At ten years old children are taught how Hopi spiritual life relates to their lives. Boys are initiated into the manhood society at sixteen. They learn their tribal responsibilities and the obligation to live the Hopi way.1
Christians must live “the way of the LORD,” doing what is right and just. God isn’t a “do what I say and not what I do” authority. We are to be just like He is—righteous and just.
“His righteousness is like the mighty mountains, His justice like the ocean depths. He cares for people and animals alike. (Psalm 36:6). “Dark clouds surround him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne” (Psalm 97:2 NLT). The good news is that He “is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus” (Romans 3:26 NLT).
God expects us to do what is just and right. “This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent” (Jeremiah 22:3 NLT)!
God expects us to treat justly the poor, orphans, oppressed, and destitute (Psalm 82:3). To be just and fair to all, doing what is good and right (Isaiah 56:1).
Those who live God’s way experience joy (Psalm 106:3). Doing what is just, right, and fair is associated with:
· Living a disciplined and successful life (Proverbs 1:3).
· Finding the right way to go (Proverbs 2:9).
· Deliverance from enemies (Psalm 119:121).
· Faithfulness (Isaiah 1:21).
· Being a blessing to the world's nations (Jeremiah 4:2).
The way of righteousness and justice pleases God more than offering him sacrifices (Proverbs 21:3).
God evaluates how we measure up to two standards: “I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness… (Isa 28:17a NLT). When even wicked people turn from their wickedness and obey God and do what is right and just, they will live (Ezekiel 18:21, 27; 33:14, 16, 19).
As God surveys the earth, there is a lot not to like. In Israel, “They deprive the poor of justice and deny the rights of the needy among my people. They prey on widows and take advantage of orphans” (Isaiah 10:2 NLT). “So there is no justice among us, and we know nothing about right living. We look for light but find only darkness. We look for bright skies but walk in gloom” (Isa 59:9 NLT).
“Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed” (Isa 59:14 NLT). “For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Enough, you princes of Israel! Stop your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Quit robbing and cheating my people out of their land. Stop expelling them from their homes, says the Sovereign LORD (Ezekiel 45:9).
The best days of justice and righteousness are ahead. “For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land” (Jer 23:5 NLT, Jeremiah 33:15). “Justice will rule in the wilderness and righteousness in the fertile field” (Isaiah 32:16, NLT). “Though the Lord is very great and lives in heaven, he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness” (Isaiah 33:5 NLT).
Following Jesus includes doing what is just and right. It’s not the Hopi way, but it is the way of the LORD. #freechristiandiscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
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